I came across a few threads about the need for an update from Nikon for the 135 F2. I know Canon makes a 135mm F2 lens that is pretty small and compact and has only 72mm front threads. Would a 135mm F1.4 nikkor lens with 77mm front threads be possible and/or likely? I was just thinking what a sweet addition to an F1.4 prime collection that would make. 24, 50, 85, 135 all at F1.4 would be pretty sweet! Curious to hear if such a lens design is possible while retaining 77mm filter threads and being priced under $2g. cheers -L

77mm front threads? Aside from any design considerations that might increase the size of the front element, the mathematical minimum size the front element would have to be is 135mm / 1.4 = 96.4mm, not that far from the size of the 200mm f/2. That's the very smallest of could be, and most large aperture lenses have larger front elements because of the complexities in lens design.

Hopefully that will come out sometime soon. I like my 135/2 AIS (better than the 135/2D DC BTW), but accurate AF wide open is a must with this lens and I hope with some aspherics thrown in this lens will be able to have high AF accuracy (i.e., lack of residual spherical aberrations wide open).

And boy would a 135/1.4 be huge as others have pointed out. F/1.8 at 135mm is fast enough for me!

Cool thanks for the info folks. I thought since the Canon 135 F2 is pretty small, affordable, and only 72mm front threads, that it could be possible, but it sounds like I was underestimating the difference between F2 and F1.4.

mshi wrote:
Why anyone needs to shoot long FL such as 135mm at f1.4? That's just beyond me.

My personal specific interest would be for shooting concerts with it, as in these low light situations I find F2.8 to really struggle and often times getting close enough for a tight shot with an 85mm isn't possible.

Loren E wrote:
Cool thanks for the info folks. I thought since the Canon 135 F2 is pretty small, affordable, and only 72mm front threads, that it could be possible, but it sounds like I was underestimating the difference between F2 and F4.

My personal specific interest would be for shooting concerts with it, as in these low light situations I find F2.8 to really struggle and often times getting close enough for a tight shot with an 85mm isn't possible.

The 200 would be awful long for a concert. I have pretty good luck with the 85 f1.4 and some cropping

Loren E wrote:
Cool thanks for the info folks. I thought since the Canon 135 F2 is pretty small, affordable, and only 72mm front threads, that it could be possible, but it sounds like I was underestimating the difference between F2 and F4.

According to the patent Nikon filed a couple years ago, the next Nikon 135mm VR will be f/1.8 with generous use of the SuperED glass element, which is only used so far on 200/2 VR Nikkor. You can guess how much it will cost.

My personal specific interest would be for shooting concerts with it, as in these low light situations I find F2.8 to really struggle and often times getting close enough for a tight shot with an 85mm isn't possible.

You can always shoot higher ISO, such as ISO 25600, with f2 or f2.8 glass.

trenchmonkey wrote:
Sh*t, it's not even OFFERED...and people already wanna put a freakin' filter on it
f1.4 is not gonna happen, but the f1.8 is certainly doable. I'd personally kill for one, just sayin'

mshi wrote:
According to the patent Nikon filed a couple years ago, the next Nikon 135mm VR will be f/1.8 with generous use of the SuperED glass element, which is only used so far on 200/2 VR Nikkor. You can guess how much it will cost.

You can always shoot higher ISO, such as ISO 25600, with f2 or f2.8 glass.

I have a D7000 and 70-200 2.8 but stop ISO at 6400 if I want photos that will clean up nicely....25,600 is definitely not in the cards for the results I am seeking!